FORWARDS
FRONT ROW
1. Loose Head Prop: Ellis Genge (England)
Honourable Mentions: Steven Kitshoff (South Africa), James Slipper (Australia), Cyril Baille (France)
On his day, the Baby Rhino known as Ellis Genge is arguably the best loose-head prop in the world. The Bristolian boy is all grown up, and has taken the opportunities to run out as England captain in his stride. Granted, his two goes at wearing the armband have resulted in England defeats, yet there is no denying the player that Genge has now become.
Up to round four of the 2023 Six Nations, Genge led the average carries-per-minute charts for all players in the competition. This is a phenomenal impact upon the game considering the work-rate he has to expend when scrummaging against the top international stars from the Northern Hemisphere. His impact is instrumental for his club and country, with Borthwick expecting big things of him at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
One of the finest loose-head scrummagers around, Genge’s knowledge about the tricks of the front row trade is second only to England veterans Joe Marler, or perhaps Dan Cole across on the tight-head. With Mako Vunipola out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the stage is set for Genge to lead from the off, and remind pundits as to why he was considered the best loose-head in the world during the successful highs of the Eddie Jones era.
2. Hooker: Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
Honourable Mentions: Bongi Mbonambi (South Africa) Dane Coles (New Zealand), Dan Sheehan (Ireland) Jamie George (England)
When Dane Coles of the All Blacks established what it meant to be a ‘modern day hooker’, former South Africa Head Coach Rassie Erasamus took the approach, and introduced his ‘bomb squad’. Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi have shared the Springbok’s game-time for the past few years, with either man in rightful contention for this spot in the World Rugby XV.
The two bring great strengths to the front row, and are an equal match when it comes to scrum-time. However Marx edges past Mbonambi when the ball is flowing in-play. The Kubota Spears man is a more aggressive and dominant threat at the ruck, and across the gain-line than his Springbok’s teammate. So, we give Marx the nod to start for our World Rugby XV, despite being preferred as a half-time introduction off the bench by the ‘Boks.
There are plenty of talented hookers that are worthy of a mention, such as England’s Jamie George, and the Argentine duo of Julian Montoya and Augustus Creevy. Fans of the Premiership will be more than familiar with these two, as Montoya packed down the front row for Leicester Tigers, and Creevy became a fan favourite with London Iris, before setting off to Sale.
3. Tight Head Prop: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Honourable Mentions: Ofa Tu’ungafasi (New Zealand), Vincent Koch (South Africa), Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Packing down the front row alongside Genge and Marx is Ireland tight-head Tadhg Furlong. As well as being an out-and-out bruising ball carrier, Furlong’s X-factor is that he brings an unexpected hot-stepping ability to the Irish front row. This does more than just get a pop out of the Aviva Stadium crowd, but it surprises defences, and causes second-guesses that create space for Furlong’s supporting options.
The man from Wexford is an complete talent on the rugby pitch, and does not limit himself to mastering the skillset of a front rower. Furlong had to bide his time during the 2023 Six Nations, as he forewent the opening three rounds of the competition due to injury. Finlay Bealham did a fine job of holding down the three jersey in his absence, yet with Furlong back and firing well, he slots into our World XV on the tight-head of the scrum.
The shortlist for this spot features a Scotsman, and two Southern Hemisphere tight-heads. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, All Blacks pillar Ofa Tu’ungafasi, and Springboks Bomb Squad member Vincent Koch get well deserved mentions, yet Furlong is a stretch ahead of the trio. Furlong will have his work cut out for him in the Pool stage clash against South Africa, as he looks to diffuse the fabled ‘Bomb Squad’ and secure the win in France.
SECOND ROW
4. Loosehead Lock: Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
Honourable Mentions: Maro Itoje (England), Thibaud Flament (France), Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has maintained his status as the best lock in World Rugby, since South Africa lifted the Web Ellis Cup back in 2019. The Sharks second row is as hard-hitting as they come, and is amongst rugby’s most revered apponents across the Southern and Northen Hemispheres.
Etzebeth’s debut season with the Durban side, did not end how he would have hoped. After a quieter season by his standards following impressive campaigns with Toulon, Etzebeth suffered a shoulder injury in April, which saw him forego the tail-end of the Sharks URC and Champions Cup campaigns.
However, a talent like Etzebeth did not lose favour with Jacques Neinaber, who has put him forward for the Rugby World Cup. Etzebeth showcased his return to full-fitness in the latest Rugby Championship, as he captained the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi. With high expectations on the lock to push on, the Springboks eager to retain their World Cup title. England’s Maro Itoje just misses out on this spot, and sits among the honourable mentions after a slow start in the 2023 Six Nations.
5. Tighthead Lock: Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
Honourable Mentions: Iain Henderson (Ireland), Will Skelton (Australia) Jonny Gray (Scotland)
The All Blacks’ long-standing tighthead lock is on the cusp of unprecedented history. If Sam Whitelock is able to get his hands on the Web Ellis trophy, he will become the first player in history to win three Rugby World Cup titles. A testament to his longevity in the black jersey, Whitelock is the benchmark for second rows in the land known as Aotearoa.
Whitelock has formed a solid alliance with loosehead lock Brodie Retallick in the All Blacks row, who took over from Whitelock’s long-term running buddy Brad Thorn. Despite entering the twilight of his career at 34-years-old, few can hold a candle to the former Crusaders captain, when it comes to running out the hard yards. To quote the ‘Hardest Geezer’, Whitelock knows how to hit the ‘ferocious ones and twos’ in a five jersey.
Whitelock could well be seeing this upcoming Rugby World Cup as the end of the road for his time with the All Blacks. He checked off the penultimate trophies, as the All Blacks won the 2023 Rugby Championship, and successfully retained the Bledisloe Cup from Australia in the process. Whitelock is just three caps shy of Richie McCaw’s 148 All Blacks test match record, with hopes of passing this in the upcoming trip to France.
A hat-trick of Rugby World Cup winners medals would solidify Whitelock’s legacy amongst the greatest rugby players of all time, before he moves on to French outfit Pau for the 2023/24 Top 14 season.